Netherlands - Current situation - History
21.03.2024
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1 September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Regional stations
In the first quarter of 2020, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations went into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences were issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.
National DAB+
In December 2020, details on the the launch of a third national multiplex - the second national commercial multiplex in the country - were published by the Official Journal. With this auction, all radio stations in The Netherlands (national, regional and local) would be broadcast on DAB+.
The licences in question will be granted for a period of 12 years (2021-2033), with a starting price of 50.000 euros per licence. The auction will be held in the first quarter of 2021, with the application period starting on 19 January 2021.
Local DAB+
In March 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate started consultations on local DAB+ capacity for commercial radio. In parts of the Netherlands, local radio on DAB+ is already available through temporary licences, but from September, local DAB+ will become available for the whole country. The 57 allotments will be used for both local and commercial radio. Local public broadcasters therefore had until February to apply for a licence. Over 200 broadcasters did so. They have now already received their licences. The remaining capacity on the 57 allotments will now be distributed to commercial radio. A total of 815 licences are involved. The number of available licences varies per allotment and depends on the number of local public broadcasters that have already received a licence. On most allotments, however, more than 10 licences are available for commercial radio.
08.12.2023
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1 September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Regional stations
In the first quarter of 2020, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations went into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences were issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.
National DAB+
In December 2020, details on the the launch of a third national multiplex - the second national commercial multiplex in the country - were published by the Official Journal. With this auction, all radio stations in The Netherlands (national, regional and local) would be broadcast on DAB+.
The licences in question will be granted for a period of 12 years (2021-2033), with a starting price of 50.000 euros per licence. The auction will be held in the first quarter of 2021, with the application period starting on 19 January 2021.
Local DAB+
Local public broadcasters in the Netherlands can apply for a licence for local digital radio (DAB+) from 12 December 2023 to 6 February 2024, the National Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate has announced. It says: "The Netherlands is divided into 57 geographical areas to which frequency space is linked. We call these allotments. For each allotment, 18 licences are available. You can use the frequency space from 1 September 2024. A licence is valid until 31 August 2030. After 6 February 2024, the ministry will determine how many permits are still available. After that, the application and allocation procedure for commercial broadcasters will start."
06.01.2021
The Dutch launch of DAB+ has been called the most successful yet in Europe, thanks to high sales figures for digital receivers. The commercial radio stations (VCR) and the public radio stations (NPO) both have 95% coverage. NPO extended coverage of its existing DAB multiplex from 70% to 95% in early 2014, and migrated services to DAB+ in 2013. Commercial stations were launched from 1 September 2013 and the total number of stations increased from 9 to 21.
Digital Radio Netherlands is leading the promotion of DAB+, using the international DAB+ logo.
Increase in national services with DAB+ vs FM
By using DAB+ the national public broadcaster NPO went from 4 channels on FM to 15 currently on DAB+.
For the national commercial broadcasters: at present, they have gone from 9 on FM to 18 currently on DAB+.
For regional stations, by using DAB+ their coverage area becomes much greater.
Regional stations
In the first quarter of 2020, ten local DAB+ ensembles with over 40 stations went into operation in the Netherlands. DAB+ licences were issued for a total of 22 regions, with broadcasts on air in large cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague as well as rural parts of the country.
National DAB+
In December 2020, details on the the launch of a third national multiplex - the second national commercial multiplex in the country - were published by the Official Journal. With this auction, all radio stations in The Netherlands (national, regional and local) would be broadcast on DAB+.
The licences in question will be granted for a period of 12 years (2021-2033), with a starting price of 50.000 euros per licence. The auction will be held in the first quarter of 2021, with the application period starting on 19 January 2021.